We can use the identity a^2 - b^2 = (a+b)(a-b) to factorize the expression. Let's rewrite the expression using this identity: a^2x - b^2y - b^2x + a^2y = (a^2x + a^2y) - (b^2x + b^2y) Now we can see that we have a common factor of (a^2 - b^2) in both terms. (a^2 - b^2)(x + y) = (a + b)(a - b)(x + y) So the correct answer is: (a + b)(a - b)(x + y)